Power steering fluid?

[poison]

I saw mention of what is labeled as power steering fluid not really being labeled correctly. The fluid that is labelled 'power steering fluid' under my hood is a bit low, don't want to throw the wrong thing in. What should I use?

 

[slavrenz]

You are supposed to use ATF, i.e., Dex-Merc fluid. I use the valvoline MaxLife DexMerc ATF, and have had no problems.

 

[poison]

Whoa, really? So the thing labeled power steering is labeled wrong, or the power steering takes AT fluid?

 

[TheMAN]

its labeled for what the fluid is for, not the type
its a very stupid thing and I've seen plenty of people put in power steering fluid in a mazda or toyota (at least on those it says specifically what type) and **** them up because it takes ATF!

 

[poison]

Very good, thank you! ATF it is.

 

[slavrenz]

How low is a bit low? The power steering fluid isn't consumed, so you may be starting to develop a leak if it has been going down. But if you go with something like the Valvoline MaxLife, it should swell the seals slightly to take care of any minor leaks

 

[slavrenz]

its labeled for what the fluid is for, not the type
its a very stupid thing and I've seen plenty of people put in power steering fluid in a mazda or toyota (at least on those it says specifically what type) and **** them up because it takes ATF!

The worst is the power steering fluid that says that it's compatible with every make and model of vehicle.

 

[poison]

How low is a bit low? The power steering fluid isn't consumed, so you may be starting to develop a leak if it has been going down. But if you go with something like the Valvoline MaxLife, it should swell the seals slightly to take care of any minor leaks

Thanks for the tip, I'll use that for sure. I don't think it's going down, it's just 1/4-3/8in below the minimum mark.

Does the power steering fluid need changing?

 

[TheMAN]

yes
just like any oil, it deteriorates with time and heat

I need to get around to flushing mine with synthetic

 

[el_Don]

its labeled for what the fluid is for, not the type
its a very stupid thing and I've seen plenty of people put in power steering fluid in a mazda or toyota (at least on those it says specifically what type) and **** them up because it takes ATF!

Who came up with that stupid idea?

 

[poison]

yes
just like any oil, it deteriorates with time and heat

I need to get around to flushing mine with synthetic

I'm at 70k. Do it?

 

[TheMAN]

yeah do it

 

[Joey Hoser]

(boom07)



Glad I read this thread. I've been having problems with my power-steering for weeks now. I keep refilling/reflushing it and trying different power steering-fluids just to see then all get burnt up in a couple of days. Going to go out right now and try using ATF fluid.

 

[slavrenz]

yeah do it

+1. Do it every time you change the transmission fluid (since, duh, you've already got the ATF).

 

[HotRodGrandma]

Newbie to this forum (searched it out via Fire Fox), This is the part of the 4um that I came to as I have me a new/used Mazda 2002 & found the answer to my questions here: Thx!!

 

[P-Funk!]

Welcome aboard!

 

[HotRodGrandma]

Welcome aboard!

Thx very much for the welcome!!